Looking for some staycation ideas while the kids have off for Presidents Week? Here are some of our favorite things to do over the winter break:
1. Go on a Science Adventure
Liberty Science Center has its ongoing exhibits open, plus the new SUE the T. Rex exhibit, which is the most complete Tyrannosaurus skeleton in the world. The Infinity Climber and the Touch Tunnel are always favorites, plus the new Izzo Family Touch Tank is open for a definite hands-on experience. Be sure to book a laser show inside the planetarium.
2. Head Outdoors
Take the kids skiing or ice skating close to home. Or, with so much snow this winter, grab your saucer and go sledding at a neighborhood spot.
3. Visit a Theme Park Exhibit
 The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia just unveiled its new “Universal Theme Parks” exhibit, where you can take a trip to Florida or California without leaving the Tri-State Area. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how your favorite movies and rides are made, through hands-on activities, model boards, props and video interviews.
4. Go Bowling
Head to a local alley with your crew; curly fries optional. Or level up with a trip to Albatross in Edison, which not only has 24 lanes with an upscale vibe, but also 18 holes of movie-themed mini golf. Round1 just opened at the Menlo Park Mall in Edison, with bowling, billiards, karaoke, and Japanese-style arcade games.
5. Go Karting or Hit the Driving Range
Your teens will love hitting the karting track at Supercharged in Edison. There are two tracks that make up the longest indoor karting track in the world! There’s also axe throwing, bumper cars, a Drop & Twist tower and dozens of arcade games. Topgolf is next door, too. RPM Raceway in Jersey City has a must-see multi-level electric go-kart track, too.
6. Go Prehistoric
Head to Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, where you can see similar dino displays inside, and also dig for real fossils outside in the quarry.
7. Bring History to Life
The Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia has a special exhibit on the Declaration of Independence, in addition to General George Washington’s war tent, a true-to-life narration by the indigenous peoples, a ship replica you can walk in, and a kid-friendly discovery zone. Living history museums, like Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge, or Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell, hold weekend events.
8. Inspire the Kids Creativity
Art studios around NJ are offering camps for the week; Around the Corner Art Center in Freehold Twp. and Marlboro will assign your kids projects like painting on canvas, sculpting, and painting with acrylic. All Children’s Art Center of NJ, with studios in Boonton, Bound Brook and Denville, has art camp plus theater and acting classes.
9. Sign up for a Mini Camp
Winter Break Fun at Nanuet Town Centre in NY offers different activities all week, like a premiere party for the new movie GOAT, tech classes at Apple, storytelling by the Enchanted Fairytale Snow Sisters, and Dine with a Dino. Tenafly Nature Center caters to different age groups, with winter-themed activities like exploring the woods and trails, make crafts, listening to stories, and playing games.
10. Head to a Museum
Plan a day trip to the Newark Museum of Art in Newark, the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton (which has different, free workshops planned each day), or Imagine That!!! in Florham Park. Princeton University Art Museum recently reopened after a years-long renovation project, and you can have lunch at Mosaic. Many of our best museums offer free admission.
11. Hit the Arcade
Play some old-school pinball at Silverball Retro Arcade in Asbury Park, add on bowling to your visit to DiDonato Family Fun Center in Hammonton, or compete in the G.I. Joe laser tag arena at The Gameroom by Hasbro at American Dream. Dave & Buster’s has multiple locations around the state, where you can grab a beer while the kids play Skee-ball or air hockey.
12. Plan a Day at American Dream
American Dream in East Rutherford is a massive complex with shopping, restaurants, Nickelodeon Universe, Big SNOW, LEGOLand Discovery Center, SeaLife aquarium, the DreamWorks Water Park, an ice skating rink, Angry Birds Mini Golf and blacklight mini golf. Visit TiLT Museum and Paradox Museum for exhibits that guarantee awesome pics. The Dream Wheel is a 300-foot observation wheel that overlooks NJ and NYC. Check out our reels on Instagram for a preview.
13. See the NYC Skyline on a Cruise
Leaving on City Cruises from Weehawken or Circle Line from Manhattan, you can board a boat and take in in all the views of the NJ and NY skylines.
14. Take to the High Seas
Battleship NJ in Camden lets you walk through three floors of the decommissioned Naval ship that is docked in the Delaware River. You can lie in the sailors’ bunks, walk through the mess hall, and even see the ship’s jail. The Intrepid Museum in NYC offers a similar experience, with the addition of the world’s first space shuttle, a nuclear weapons-carrying submarine, dozens of military aircraft, a supersonic spy plane, and the world’s fastest commercial airliner (the Concorde) – plus, this is Kids Week, with tons of STEM-related activities for science and animal lovers.
15. Burn Off Some Energy
New Jersey has its share of indoor sports complexed where kids can get out their zoomies during winter break. Branchburg Sports Complex has fields and courts for basketball, baseball, flag football and lacrosse, plus a laser tag arena, arcade, play maze and batting cages. Iron Peak Sports & Events in Hillsborough has sports fields, plus climbing walls, field games, a golf house an arcade, duckpin bowling and aerial ropes.
Don’t forget to check our list of Things to Do This Weekend for more ideas on how to keep the kids occupied.Â
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